History

Pre-1911

Taiyuan was an ancient capital, constructed by Zhaojianzi
(趙簡子/赵简子) in ca. 500 BC, named Jinyang (晉陽/晋阳). It was renamed Taiyuan in the
Qin Dynasty. Several
Emperors came from this city, the most famous emperor is Li
Shimin and his father Li Yuan, Emperor Gaozu, during the Tang Dynasty. Many ancient Chinese poets
were also from Taiyuan. During the Tang Dynasty, Taiyuan was a
secondary capital of China and a cultural center. The oldest
existing building in the city is the Temple of Goddess (聖母殿/圣母殿)
inside the Jin Ci Complex; it was originally built in 1023 AD and
reconstructed in 1102 AD.

The city was originally the site of Jinyang, a strategic center
for the ancient state of Zhao. After the Qin conquest of Zhao in
221 BC, it became the seat of the commandery (district under the
control of a commander) of Taiyuan, which continued during the Han
dynasty (206 BC–AD 220) and after. In the Later Han period, it
became the capital of the province (zhou) of Bing.

For a time in the 6th century, the city was a secondary capital
of Eastern Wei and
Northern Qi states,
growing into a fairly large city and also becoming a center of Buddhism. A new city was
built in 562 AD, which was later
linked to the old city during the Tang Dynasty in 733 AD. From that time until the middle of the Tang
dynasty (618–907), the construction of the cave temples at Tianlong
Mountain just southwest of the city, continued. The dynastic
founder of the Tang began his conquest of the empire with Taiyuan
as a base and using the support of its local aristocracy. It was periodically designated
as the Tang's northern capital and grew into a heavily fortified
military base.

The old city was at Taiyuanzhen, a few miles east of the modern
city. After the Song conquest in 960, Emperor Taizong of Song ordered
to destroy it, and a new city was set up on the banks of the Fen River in 982.[2] The
city became a superior prefecture in 1059 and administrative
capital of Hedong (northern Shanxi) in 1107. It retained this
function, with various changes in its name and status, down to the
end of the Mongol period (1368). At the beginning of the Ming
dynasty (1368–1644), it was renamed Taiyuan Fu (府, fu,
meaning "chief town") and retained this name until 1912. During Ming Dynasty, the
city wall was reconstructed in 1568 AD. Under the Ming dynasty and
in the Qing period (1644–1911), it was capital of
Shanxi. Under the republic (established in 1911), its name was
changed to Yangqu, a name it retained until 1947.

In 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, seventy-seven unarmed
Western missionaries were executed in front of the provincial
governor. This incident became known as the Taiyuan
Massacre.

In 1907 the importance of Taiyuan was increased by the
construction of a rail link to Shijiazhuang, in Hebei, on the Beijing to Wuhan trunk line. Soon thereafter Taiyuan
suffered a serious economic crisis. In the 19th century the
merchants and local banks of Shanxi had been of national
importance, but the rise of modern banks led to the rapid decline
of this system — with disastrous effects upon Shanxi and its
capital.

1911-1949

After 1911, Shanxi remained under control by warlord Yen Hsi-shan who
retained control of the area from 1913 to 1948. Taiyuan
consequently flourished as the center of his comparatively
progressive province and experienced extensive industrial
development. It was also linked by rail both to the far southwest
of Shanxi and to Datong in the
north.

After the Japanese invasion in 1937,
Taiyuan's industries continued to develop further. In 1945 the
Japanese army in Shanxi surrendered to Yen Xi-shan and continued to fight for him
until 1948. Eventually, the Chinese communist armies captured
Taiyuan.

1949-present

Since 1949, Taiyuan has developed a large industrial base with
heavy industry (notably iron and steel) of prime importance; local
coal production is considerable. Taiyuan is also an engineering center, as
it produces cement, and has a
large chemical-industrial complex. It is
also a center of education and research, particularly in technology and applied
science.

Geography

Taiyuan is one of the great industrial cities of China and lies
on the Fen River in the
north of its fertile upper basin. It commands the north-south route
through Shanxi, as well as
important natural lines of communication through the mountains to
Hebei province in the east and
(via Fenyang) to northern Shanxi province in the west.

Climate

Taiyuan experiences a hot summer continental
climate (Köppen climate
classificationDwa). Spring is dry, with frequent dust
storms, followed by early summer heat waves. Summer tends to be
warm to hot with most of the year's rainfall concentrated in July
and August. Winter is long and cold, but dry and sunny. There tends
be considerable diurnal variation in temperature, and readings can
range from under -20C to over 40C. The city had been deliberately
flooded several times in 453 BC, 969 AD, and was also destroyed by war in 1125
AD.

Administrative divisions

Economy

Satellite image of Taiyuan

In 2008, Taiyuan's nominal GDP was 146.8 billion yuan, a growth
of 8.1% from the previous year. Taiyuan's primary, secondary, and
tertiary industries were worth 2 billion yuan, 63.9 billion yuan,
and 59.6 billion yuan respectively in 2007. Taiyuan is the largest
coal mining center in China. It also houses several large
corporations in Taiyuan, such as the Taiyuan Iron and Steel Company
(TISCO) which is the largest stainless steel producing plant in
Asia. Also, the Shanxi Heavy Machinery Factory and Fenxi Machinery
Factory are major manufacturers for the People's Liberation Army and
Navy, producing submarine missiles for them. The largest local bank
of Taiyuan is ICBC( Industrial and
Commercial Bank of China).

Residential
Area

Subdivisions of Taiyuan

The most populated area in Taiyuan is Yinze District which is
the downtown of Taiyuan City. Wanbailing and Xinhualing Districts
are the other major residential districts. Apartments in high rises
are the most common residence for the civics. Rare houses occupied
by the government officials can be found along part of the Fen
River and the suburbs except the northern area of the city for the
high density of heavy industry in the north. The city's most
expensive housing area currently is the part of Beidajie Avenue
between Fen River and Wuyi Road for the CBD (Central Business
District) of the metropolis is being built along the street. The
Taiyuan area's most luxurious hotels and restaurants have been
built along the avenue with some shopping malls and huge
supermarkets surrounding. The City Revenue Agency, the City
Procurator Fiscal, City Hall, and several telecommunication
companies, such as China Telecom and China Mobile are located along
the avenue. The housing price has reached 20000 RMB/m,
roughly equal to $300/ft.

Transportation

Inner City transportation The Fen River flows through the
city from north to south, dividing the city into two parts: Qiaoxi
(West of the Bridge) and Qiaodong (East of the Bridge). As of 2007,
there are five bridges across the Fen River within the city limits:
the Shengli Bridge (1970), the Yifen Bridge (1990), the Yingze
Bridge (1954), the Nanneihuan Bridge (1988), and the Changfeng
Bridge (2001). About ten kilometers to the north of the Shengli
Bridge, there is the Chaicun Bridge. Two more bridges are being
planned: Beizhonghuan Bridge and Nanzhonghuan Bridge.

Air The primary airport of the city is Taiyuan
Wusu Airport. The airport has been expanded for the landing of
Airbus A380.

Tou Nao (头脑, "Brain" Soup): Contains mutton, rice wine and vegetables in the soup. It was
invented by a famous person named FuShan. He invented it for his
mother.)

Yang Za Ge,Yang Rou tang (羊肉汤): a kind of soup which is made of
mutton. Served during the wintertime

Wan Zi Tang (丸子汤): meatball soup

Vinegar: Taiyuan is known for its vinegar, Lao
Chen Cu (老陈醋, "Long-preserved Vinegar").

Tourism

A food street in Taiyuan

Several tourist attractions in and around Taiyuan include the
Liu Xiang Lane, which contains ancient Chinese houses of important
heritage, and several temples, such as the Chongshan Monastery, the
Jinci Temple, the Twin Pagoda
Temple, and the Shaunglin Monastery Longtan Park and Yinze Park are also
popular tourist destinations.[4]

Taiyuan is also known for its Liuxiang shopping district and the
construction of parks and recreational areas that are praised by
the UN Environmental Programme for their role in the improvement of
the environmental condition of Taiyuan. Taiyuan's environmental
improvement project is being copied in many other Chinese cities
and urban areas around the world.

Jinci Temple (晋祠寺; Jìncísì), (25km southwest of central Taiyuan. Take bus
8 (from the railway station) or 804 for about 45 minutes).
7:30AM-6:30PM. Jinci Temple, an ancient ancestral temple, was
founded about 1400 years ago and was expanded during the Sui, Tang,
Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, resulting in a variety of
architecutural styles. Today it comprises of over 100 halls,
towers, pavilions, terraces, and bridges and includes some of the
best Song Dynasty sculptures and buildings still extant in China as
well as some lovely gardens and ancient trees. Well known
structures at Jinci include the Hall of Offerings (献殿; Xiàn​diàn),
The Flying Bridge Across the Fish Pond (鱼沼飞梁; Yú​zhǎo​ Fēi​liáng​),
and the Hall of the Holy Mother (圣母殿; Shèng​mǔ​diàn​), the most
famous building at Jinci. Completed in 1032 and with carved wooden
dragons coiled around the eight pillars that support its
upward-curving double-eave roof, this impressive structure contains
some of the finest Song Dynasty clay sculptures in China, each with
a different facial expression.¥40. edit

Temple of the Twin Pagodas (双塔寺; Shuāngtǎsì;
lit. Twin Pagoda Temple), Shuangta North Road, Yingze District
(迎泽区双塔北路; Yíngzéqū Shuāngtǎběilù) (Bus 812, 820 or 873). 8AM-5PM. This temple
is noted for its pair of 13-story octagonal pagodas, dating back
some 400 years. These twin pagodas, which can easily be seen from
much of Taiyuan, are often used as a symbol of Shanxi's largest
city. The two towers, made of brick and stone, are 53 meters in
height. Visitors can climb a spiral staircase to the top of the
western pagoda to enjoy a panoramic view over the city.¥20. edit

Chongshan Temple (崇善寺;
Chóngshànsì), Diliang Street, Yingze District (迎泽区狄梁公街;
Yíngzéqū Díliánggōngjiē (Buses 2, 3, 843, 819, 818 will take you
within walking distance of the temple). 8:30AM-5PM. Originally built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
In 1381, the temple was extended. In the 19th century, most of the
temple was destroyed. The temple is home to the Buddhist
Association of Shanxi Province and includes the Bell Tower, the
Dabei Hall, and the east and west wing rooms. The main hall has a
statue of Guanyin, Goddess of Mercy, with 1000 hands and
eyes.¥6. edit

Old
Mosque (清真古寺; Qīng​zhēn​gǔ​sì​), 20 Jiefang Road (解放路20号;
Jiě​fàng​lù)​ (Bus 1, 4
or 5), ☎+86 351
2027142. 8AM-5PM. A mosque at this location was first built in
the Tang Dynasty, but the present one is much younger.¥12. edit

Chunyang Palace (纯阳宫; Chúnyánggōng​), 33 Jianshe North Road (建设北路33号;
Jiàn​shè​běi​lù)​ (Bus
3, 4 or 5 to Wuyi Square Stop), ☎+86
351 8210666. Summer 8AM-6PM,
Winter 9AM-5PM. Originally built
in the 13th century and since extented significantly. Features
garden and temple as well as a number of other buildings.¥5. edit

Shanxi Museum (山西省博物馆; Shān​xī​shěng​
Bó​wù​guǎn​), 13 Binhe West Road (滨河西路北段13号;
Bīn​xé​xī​lù​běi​duàn​) (Bus 2 or 3 to Hongshi Street Stop),
☎+86 351 8789014, [1]. 8AM-6PM. The Shanxi
Museum is located in a modern four-storey building situated at a
prime location along the Fen River in central Taiyuan and features
a very impressive collection of artifacts from this history-heavy
province. Chinese civilization first began to develop in Shanxi and
Shaanxi provinces along the banks of the Yellow River, and this
handsome provincial museum features some of the best of the
historical artfacts from around the province. The museum has on
display thousands of objects in a series of well laid out
exhibition halls. Permanent exhibits include those devoted to
relics from the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages, ancient Chinese
porcelain, painting and caligraphy, jades, bronzes, Chinese
currency, historical architecutre, Buddhist stone scultptures, and
Shanxi merchants. Signage in Chinese and English.Free. edit

Children's park (儿童公园; Ér​tóng​
Gōng​yuán​), Haizibian West Street (海子边西街;
Hǎi​zi​bian​xī​jiē)​ (In the centre of the city), ☎+86 351 4066351. Dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Is home to
library, exhibitions, planetarium and a number of older and newer
buildings.edit

Forest Park (森林公园; Sēn​lín​
Gōng​yuán​), Binhe East Road (滨河东路;
Bīn​hé​dōng​lù)​ (Northern part of city, main entrance and
parking area from West Gate on Binhe East Road), ☎+86 351 3551684. 7AM-8PM. Recently
built artifical forest park landscaped with valleys and rivers. It
is features various recreational facilities.¥5. edit

Tianlongshan Grottoes (天龙山石窟; Tiān​lóng​shān​
Shí​kū​), (40 km southwest of Taiyuan. Best reached by
car. A bus runs from Wuyi Square in Taiyuan to Qingxu, which is the
nearest major town to the grottoes.). 7:30AM-6:30PM. Tianlongshan Grottoes is a series of 25 caves
carved into the mountainside of Tianlong Mountain and well known
among Chinese art experts for the fine Buddhist statues and
decorations which were sculpted within. The earliest of these caves
were built during the Eastern Wei Dynasty (534-550), and additional
caves were added in the Northern Qu, Sui, and Tang Dynasties.
Grottoes 2 and 3 are the oldest in the complex, dating back nearly
1500 years. The largest and most impressive grotto is the ninth
one, a multi-storied cave with several large Buddha statues and
covered by an intricate three-story wooden pavilion, the Manshan
Pavilion.¥25. edit

Longshan Grottoes (龙山石窟; Lóng​shān​
Shí​kū​), (On Longshan Mountain, 20km southeast of
central Taiyuan). 7:30AM-6:30PM.
Built at the beginning of Yuan Dynasty.
They comprise a Taoist temple and a number of statues.¥20. edit

Fenhe Scenic Area (汾河景区; Fén​hé​jǐng​qū​). Scenic area around Fen River. It includes four
theme areas, six natural scenery areas and seven sightseeing
spots.¥10. edit

Juewei Mountain Scenic Area (崛围山风景区; Jué​wéi​shān​
Fēng​jǐng​qū​), (24km northwest of central Taiyuan).
The scenic area is home to a temple, a
tower, pagodas and lots of trees. Locals flock here in autumn to
see the red leaves and in spring to see the flowers. In clear
weather there are great views of Taiyuan.edit

Wheat Festival. September. Fine
foods festival focusing on local dishes based on wheat.edit

Wine Festival. November. Festival
focusing on Shanxi Province as a centre for local wine
production.edit

International Folk Art Festival. September. Stages
dance, song and theatre and exhibits art and sculpture.edit

Buy

One area to visit for shopping is Bell Tower
Street where you will find Fenjiu Dasha, Dongfang
Department Store, Jinge Clothing Store and lots of smaller stores.
Another option is Liu Xiang where you will find
Guidu Department store, Wanjia Dasha, other department stores and
many fashion shops.

Local products and
markets

Local products can be found around town, but especially in
Liuxiang Shopping District. These products include paper cuttings,
jade, dough sculptures and lacquer goods.

This is a usable article. It has
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